Saturday, November 24, 2007

While driving home last night and scanning the radio stations for something to listen to, I stumbled upon a preacher on the local Christian radio station. He was talking about Islam so I thought I'd take a listen.

In front of what seemed like a very large congregation - not to mention anyone listening over the airwaves - he was doing his damnedest to both negate their faith and make them look like "the bad guys."

The majority of his message was how Islam flourished because they were converting people "by the sword" and how violent their scriptures are. Similarly, anytime he got to a passage where it said Allah is "forgiving and merciful" he had to make a comment like "well, ya, only if you do what He says."

What he failed to mention was his own tradition's horribly violent past, including similar conversion techniques (the Crusades and Native Americans ring a bell?) and graphically violent scriptures (anyone read the Old Testament?)

I'm not dogging Christianity or Judaism. It just sucks that people of power are able to turn groups of people against other groups of people using false information and misguided truths.

Perhaps the appropriate way Christians can learn about Islam is to invite Muslims to speak at their worship services. God forbid we actually seek to understand each other and reach common ground.

Thursday, November 15, 2007

This video probably won't mean much to you unless you grew up with the Nintendo and are familiar with the theme songs and imagery from Super Mario Brothers, Zelda, Tetris and more. But if you are familiar, check out this absolutely amazing Cal marching band doing a Video Game Halftime show.

As one who spent my high school both playing Nintendo and marching around a football field with a snare drum holder on my shoulders, this video just plain rocks. (NOTE: I didn't realize this until the end, but it is filmed from the back... everything is upside down)

Wednesday, November 14, 2007

Self-discipline is not the suppression of desires (or an attempt to keep us from doing what we think we want), rather it is choosing your highest/deepest desire instead of your superficial desire(s) in that moment.

I can't tell you how many times going at it from that angle has helped me stay on track.